1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 10 · Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

10.34.24 10.34.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.34.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The serpentsince 10.34.12-13inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं विक्रीडतो: स्वैरं गायतो: सम्प्रमत्तवत् ।

शङ्खचूड इति ख्यातो धनदानुचरोऽभ्यगात् ॥ २५ ॥

evaṁ vikrīḍatoḥ svairaṁ

gāyatoḥ sampramatta-vat

śaṅkhacūḍa iti khyāto

dhanadānucaro ’bhyagāt

Translation

While Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma thus played according to Their own sweet will and sang to the point of apparent intoxication, a servant of Kuvera named Śaṅkhacūḍa came upon the scene.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lords Play by Their Sweet Will

1
Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma played according to Their own sweet will.
2
They sang to the point of apparent intoxication. The translation describes an appearance, not ordinary intoxication.
3
During Their play and singing, Śaṅkhacūḍa, a servant of Kuvera, arrived.

How it feels

Attachment → Impending loss. The approach of departure gives pastoral love a poignant edge.

Chapters 34–38 of Canto 10: Further Vraja events and Akrūra's arrival. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 34: Nanda Mahārāja Saved and Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When the two Lords became absorbed in singing to the point of apparent intoxication, a servant of Kuvera’s named Śaṅkhacūḍa boldly came forward and began abducting the gopīs. The young girls called out, “Kṛṣṇa, please save us!” and He and Rāma began to chase after Śaṅkhacūḍa.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.34

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

evamthus
vikrīḍatoḥas the two of Them were playing
svairamas They desired
gāyatoḥsinging
sampramattato the point of intoxication
vatas if
śaṅkhacūḍaḥŚaṅkhacūḍa
itithus

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Īśānukathā · The science of God
Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 10.34
In this verse: “sweet”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the phrase “Their own sweet will” shape your understanding of the Lords’ play?

Practice

Read the verse once more, paying particular attention to “Their own sweet will” and “apparent intoxication.”

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lords Play by Their Sweet WillThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.34.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories